Transportation

Please read and review this document, Standards of Conduct for Pupils Riding School Buses, with your child(ren). It is important that you and your child(ren) understand the standards covering conduct while riding a school bus. The Tinton Falls Schools Board of Education expects students who ride buses to and from school and for extracurricular activities to maintain standards of behavior that will insure the safety of all. Good pupil conduct contributes to safety. It helps to avoid accidents that may result from the distraction of the driver. It also reduces the number of accidents in which pupils injure themselves or each other.

Sign this form and return it to your School Principal who will retain it on file. If a student is unable to read the instructions, the parent’s signature will indicate that the following regulations have been explained to the students.

REMINDER TO PARENTS: PLEASE STOP FOR ALL SCHOOL BUSES THAT ARE LOADING AND UNLOADING STUDENTS.

Very truly yours,

Vincent Daniels

School Business Administrator/Board Secretary

GENERAL

The State of New Jersey Statutes 18A:Chapter 39, and N.J.A.C. Chapter 21 Rules and Regulations Regarding Pupil Transportation and Tinton Falls School Policy provides in part that daily bus service shall be provides for all elementary and intermediate pupils (Grades K-8) living in excess of two miles from school.

STANDARDS

Acceptable classroom standards of conduct shall be expected of bus passengers, and the driver shall ensure that pupils observe regulations at all times per Tinton Falls School Policy. Students shall not be permitted to eat, smoke, yell, scream, push, fight, or take advantage of smaller children; extend hands, arms or head from bus windows; inappropriate touching of others on the bus; carry on to the bus any water pistols, live reptiles, animals, insects, or oversized items that would block an aisle, cause loss of passenger seat space, obstruct the driver’s view, or create a safety hazard.

DISCIPLINE

The driver shall be in full charge of the school bus at all times and shall be responsible for order. The driver shall never exclude a pupil from the bus; however, if unable to manage any pupil he/she shall report the unmanageable pupil to the appropriate School Principal. Students are advised to adhere to basic rules concerning the safety and protection of all passengers. Video cameras may also be installed on some buses to aid the driver in maintaining order and safety. Refusal to obey rules and cooperate with the bus driver may or will result in suspension of bus privileges. Students suspended from the bus must still attend school in compliance with the laws of the State of New Jersey. The decision to suspend a student shall rest with the appropriate School Principal and/or Assistant Principal. The Board of Education shall be informed in accordance with the law. Exclusion from the bus shall be the responsibility of the School Board upon recommendation by the Superintendent. The student’s parents shall provide transportation to and from school during the period of suspension/exclusion.

MEETING THE BUS

Pupils must be at their bus stop at least ten (10) minutes prior to the regular pick up time and remain at the stop until the bus arrives. Pupils are not to stand in the road, or on residents’ property or engage in play or other activities that will endanger themselves, other pupils or the residents’ property where the bus stop is located while waiting for the bus to arrive. Pupils are to wait to cross a traveled portion of the road until the bus has stopped and the other vehicles approaching or following have also stopped. The driver will signal students to cross when it is safe to do so. Pupils are to report any illness or injury sustained on or around the bus immediately to the bus driver.

CONDUCT ON THE BUS

1. Pupils must recognize that the bus driver is the authority while on the school bus.

2. Pupils must obey and be courteous to the driver and other students.

3. Pupils are to go directly to a seat and remain seated while the bus is in motion unless otherwise directed by the driver or aide.

4. Pupils are not to throw objects on the bus, out of the windows or at other buses.

5. Pupils are to only carry unbreakable objects that can be safely held in the pupil’s lap or bag.

6. Pupils are not to consume food or beverages on the bus at any time.

7. Pupils must wear seatbelts at all times while on the bus.

8. Pupils are to maintain appropriate standards of behavior at all times while on school bus.

9. Pupils are to remain seated until the bus comes to a complete stop and exit the bus in an orderly manner.

10. Pupils are to cross at a distance of approximately ten (10) feet from the front of the bus after the driver has signaled that it is safe to do so.

11. Parents are encouraged to walk with the students to and from the bus stop.

12. Pupils must only ride on their assigned bus routes from and to their assigned stop.

The right of all pupils to ride on a school bus is conditioned on their good behavior and observance of the following rules and regulations. Any pupil who is reported to the Principal/Assistant Principal for poor conduct will be subject to the following: